Ways to Volunteer

Creating Value for Your Alma Mater

Our alumni give their time and talent back to Fuqua. Explore the many ways you can volunteer. Your options include volunteering for your class, in your region, on a board, with students, or for admissions.

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The most successful fundraising appeals happen among peers. Fuqua's fundraising strategy is bolstered by Class Agents who develop and maintain meaningful relationships with classmates, encouraging them to support the school through the Fuqua Annual Fund and volunteerism.

Responsibilities:

To work with the Annual Fund staff in establishing class giving goals and drafting two solicitations per fiscal year.

To make a gift or a pledge at the start of the fiscal year before asking classmates to do so.

To personally contact 10-15 classmates before the end of each fund drive on June 30.

To communicate any changes in a classmate's contact information to the Annual Fund staff liaison.

To be a resource for recruiting volunteers for committees and special events.

To establish and maintain a close working relationship with the Fuqua Annual Fund staff liaison and aid in finding enthusiastic new Class Agents.

Qualifications:

A dedication to ensuring Fuqua has the necessary financial resources to remain a top business school.

A clear understanding of how the Fuqua Annual Fund supports the school's mission and goals.

A commitment to increasing alumni participation in giving to the Fuqua Annual Fund.

Current participation in the Fuqua Annual Fund as a donor with a willingness to encourage fellow alumni to support the school.

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Alumni volunteers are an important component to Fuqua's reunion program. We invite you to learn more about opportunities available and get involved with your class committee today!

Why volunteer?

To reconnect with classmates.

To start, or continue, on a pathway to other volunteer opportunities at Fuqua.

To accomplish a worthy goal and make an impact at the school.

To develop or strengthen a relationship with Fuqua staff.

To live in the spirit Team Fuqua, even after graduation.

Reunion Volunteer Role

Using Duke's Volunteer Information and Communication System (VICS) all volunteers will be asked to select and reach out to at least 10 of their classmates to reconnect them with Fuqua, find out what they are up to now, discuss reunion weekend, and encourage them to attend.

Volunteers additionally will be asked to help:

Provide anecdotes to Fuqua's Development and Alumni Relations team about your time at Fuqua to help us tailor class communication.

Help recruit additional class volunteers for outreach activity.

Manage class-specific social media activity.

Gather and collect class photos - both current as well as from your time at Fuqua.

Reach out to favorite faculty to encourage them to connect with your class at reunion weekend.

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Tools for Current Regional Leaders

Regional alumni groups promote communication and interaction among members of the Fuqua community through a variety of professional, social, educational, and family activities.

Successful regional groups start and grow with a strong leadership team. Responsibilities are shared by a team of two to four volunteers depending on the alumni base in the regional area. Alumni volunteers are encouraged to participate for a two-year term; a volunteer's term can be extended if the volunteer and the Alumni Relations team have interest.

Regional Leadership Responsibilities:

Conduct leadership planning meetings to develop the calendar of events for the coming year.

Serve as liaison between the region's alumni and the Development and Alumni Relations (DAR) office.

Plan events, social and professional, that reach a variety of audiences.

Where applicable, partner with the Duke University Alumni Group and/or the business school alliance for programming purposes.

Plan, in conjunction with the DAR office, for informed and enthusiastic successors to assure the continuation of an active Fuqua regional team.

Update personal contact information in the alumni directory.

Stay engaged and informed about Fuqua by reading alumni communications.

Work collaboratively as a team to coordinate programming in the area.

Manage communication through the email distribution list provided by Fuqua.

Provide content to the Alumni Relations team for the regional webpage.

To Learn More

Alumni Council

Visit our 2014-2015 roster to see who is currently serving on the Alumni Council.

The 54 alumni who make up the Alumni Council reflect the school's diversity of programs, graduating years, and demographics. The Council's mission is to foster a strong, lifelong bond between Fuqua and its alumni. It also promotes and maintains the school's unique "Team Fuqua" culture which is based on leadership through collaboration, a trustful and supportive community, an appreciation of each individual's perspectives and contributions, and a passion for making a difference.

Responsibilities:

To participate in two meetings per year (usually April and October) at Fuqua. Council members cover travel and accommodation costs. Fuqua covers activity and event costs.

To provide input and advice to Fuqua leadership on issues affecting the school.

To encourage productive and meaningful interactions at Council meetings and during the intervening periods.

To be active donors and give at the Keller Society level of at least $1,000 per year. Members are also asked to be active supporters of and advocates for Fuqua's fundraising efforts and to have an understanding of Fuqua's needs for philanthropic support.

To spread the word about Fuqua's activities, priorities, and opportunities for alumni engagement to the wider alumni community. To serve as a liaison to the school for alumni feedback, concerns, and ideas.

To advance the work of the Council through current initiatives by serving on Council committees or task forces that reflect the school's current needs.

To build the institution through strong leadership on class reunion committees and support alumni initiatives and events both at Fuqua and in their respective regions.

To help keep the Alumni Council strong and vibrant by promoting the opportunity to serve within the alumni community and suggesting candidates for the Council.

Qualifications:

A strong commitment to Fuqua through volunteerism, involvement in Fuqua initiatives, attendance at events, philanthropic support of Fuqua, or willingness to increase philanthropic support.

Leadership in one's professional roles.

A passion for the ongoing success of Fuqua and its graduates.

Selection of Council Members:

Candidates may self-nominate or be nominated by fellow alumni, Fuqua faculty or staff. Alumni Council applications are collected and reviewed each spring by the Alumni Council Chair, Vice Chair, and the Development and Alumni Relations leadership team (known as the "Membership Committee"). The Membership Committee looks to create a balanced Council that includes representation from all Fuqua graduation eras and programs and has a gender and ethnic makeup that reflects the alumni base.

New Alumni Council members are seated in July and are invited to serve a three-year term with the potential to serve an additional two-year term at the agreement of both the Council member and the Council leadership.

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Minority Alumni Advisory Board

The Minority Alumni Advisory Board is comprised of approximately 20 members who represent a broad spectrum of class years and programs. It is led by an executive committee comprised of two elected officers (Chair and Vice Chair), appointed task force chairs (Admissions, Career, and Development and Alumni Relations), and staff representatives from Development and Alumni Relations, the Career Management Center, and Admissions. Created in 2008, the board provides Fuqua with a formal structure for nurturing, growing, and capitalizing on the resources of the underrepresented minority community.

(The Fuqua School of Business recognizes underrepresented minorities as being permanent U.S. residents of African American, Hispanic American, or Native American descent. )

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Health Care Alumni Advisory Board

The Health Care Alumni Advisory Board was created in January 2011 to strengthen and promote the value of the Health Sector Management program and to enhance the professional and personal development opportunities of alumni in the health care community. The Health Care Alumni Advisory Board advises on issues that impact current students, Fuqua graduates, and the school's reputation.

The board is comprised of individuals who have completed a degree program at Fuqua and work or have strong professional interest in the health care industry. Every effort is made to represent the diverse membership of the alumni community in regard to Fuqua's programs, class years, health care specializations, and geographic areas.

Responsibilities:

To participate in two board meetings per year (usually in November and April) at Fuqua. Council members cover travel and accommodation costs. Fuqua covers activity and event costs.

To ensure productive and meaningful interactions at board meetings and during the intervening periods. Meetings should provide a balance of social and business opportunities and are geared toward creating a strong sense of ownership in the future direction and success of the school.

To advance the work of the Board through current initiatives and by serving on Board committees or task forces that reflect the school's current needs,

To support the fundraising efforts of the school by understanding Fuqua's requirements for philanthropic support and being active donors to the school.

Qualifications:

A strong commitment of time, talent and capital to Fuqua.

Leadership in their professional roles.

Passion for the ongoing success of Fuqua and its graduates.

Nomination and Selection:Candidates may self-nominate or be nominated to serve by a fellow alumnus or member of Fuqua's faculty or staff. The standard term of membership is three years with the opportunity to renew for an additional two-year term. Nominations are collected and reviewed annually by the board's Executive Committee and members of the Fuqua Development and Alumni Relations team.

Alumni can volunteer to sit on a panel, be a guest speaker, or mentor students as they begin their career.

At least four 30-minute phone or Skype sessions with your student mentee per semester

If you're interested in mentoring for the 2014-2015 school year, please fill out this survey by January 23, 2015. Matches will be determined by the end of January 2015 and Webex training sessions will be offered concurrently.

Mentoring opportunities will be organized in conjunction with the following student clubs:

Asian Business ClubThe Asian Business Club (ABC) promotes Asian culture and business within the Fuqua community. The club's objectives are to integrate the Asian community with Fuqua through various social and cultural events, career development initiatives and alumni networks for our members.

Association of Women in Business (AWiB)The Association of Women in Business is dedicated to providing the resources and support women need to succeed in the business world. We are a professional development club for Fuqua students, providing career support and raising awareness of the unique issues and challenges facing women in the workplace.

Black and Latino MBA Organization (BLMBAO)Provide a support network and career mentorship to minority students. Help students as they define their career paths, provide industry-specific interviewing tips, assist with conference preparation techniques. Alumni mentors work with the Fuqua Minority Alumni Advisory Board in partnership with the Black and Latino MBA Organization (BLMBAO).

Energy ClubThe Mission of the Duke MBA Energy Club is to educate students and facilitate engagement in all aspects of the energy industry including energy basics, emerging technologies, energy finance, company profiles, and career tracks.

General Management ClubFuqua's General Management Club is one of the largest clubs on campus and is the best resource to prepare students for cross-disciplinary management and leadership roles. The club boasts a strong alumni network comprising (but not limited to) managers in leadership development programs, operations, corporate relations, project management, human resources, and corporate strategy roles.

Health Care ClubThe Health Care Club is a student-run organization focused on educating our members on career opportunities and industry trends throughout all facets of the health sector. The club provides a forum for students to interact with industry professionals and alumni from prominent health care organizations. The club also serves as an important basis for connection among current students that bring diverse sets of interest and backgrounds in the health care industry.

Jewish Business AssociationThe Jewish Business Association strives to provide Jewish Fuqua students with a platform for social, cultural, academic, career, and community activities.

Net Impact Net Impact is one of the largest clubs at Fuqua, demonstrating that Fuqua students, no matter their career path, want to make a difference. Whether they're taking on a social sector role or looking to bring their values to a more traditional business career, the club helps connect students with the resources and role models needed to achieve those goals. The club's events are designed to empower students with the skills, knowledge and support to make a difference in their chosen career and, as the student arm of the Center for the Advancement of Social Entrepreneurship (CASE), the club also gives students access to visitors and research on the leading edge of social impact.

Tech ClubAs one of the largest professional clubs at Fuqua, the Duke MBA High Tech Club serves a community of MBA students who are passionate about the tech industry. Through educational and career-oriented engagements, we build the community and enhance career opportunities.

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The Career Advisor for MMS (CAM) program began in 2010 with 40 MBA alumni providing career support to approximately 100 MMS students. Over the years, MMS students have found the insights and expertise of these alumni to be beneficial to their job searches and future careers.

For many MMS students, this will be the first time they have written a formal resume, or cover letter and/or conducted a professional interview. The CAM program helps to prepare MMS students for their career search by conducting resume reviews, cover letter reviews, and mock interviews. Learn more about our Durham- and China-based MMS programs.

Responsibilities:

To assess an MMS student's interpersonal skills, interview readiness, and areas for improvement.

To complete an evaluation of each student's readiness and interpersonal skills.

To prepare and guide MMS students in the networking and mock interview process.

Meetings are usually held via Skype from August - September unless other arrangements have been made to meet in person. All MBA alumni and MMS alumni who graduated three years prior can hold Career Advisor to MMS positions.

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The Admissions Office relies heavily on your help to recruit students. Many undecided applicants have chosen Fuqua based on positive interactions with Fuqua alumni, and many of our best students have been referred by alumni.

Responsibilities:

To promote and enhance the global reputation and benefits of Fuqua's programs.

To encourage prospective applicants whose personalities, needs and motivations are well suited to Duke.

To increase our yield by converting more students from admitted to enrolled status.

To assist the Admissions office with recruitment activities.

Ways to Volunteer

There are several ways you can help the admissions team as they recruit the next Fuqua classes:

Throughout the fall, we sponsor information sessions in major cities for people who have expressed an interest in applying to Fuqua. If you live in or near one of these cities, we will contact you 3-4 weeks prior to the event. The sessions typically include a presentation by a member of the Admissions staff and a current student, an alumni panel discussion, and an opportunity for candidates to mingle with alumni. Even if you are not comfortable sitting on a panel, we need your help to answer general questions and discuss your Fuqua experience with attendees. Information sessions typically last no more than two hours.

We participate in MBA Forums held all over the world. Roughly 150 schools from around the globe attend these gatherings, which are similar to trade shows or career fairs for prospective students. Tables are staffed by alumni, students and Admissions representatives. Alumni may volunteer to staff the Duke MBA booth and speak with prospective applicants. If you live in or near a city hosting a forum, we will contact you 3-4 weeks prior.

Inform the school of important MBA fairs held outside the U.S. Our budget is limited and fairs can be expensive; however, we may be able to participate if we have alumni volunteers to represent us at the event.

Did you meet an applicant at an Admissions event who made an impression—favorable or unfavorable? Complete our applicant interaction feedback form to let us know. You should not complete this form for every applicant that you meet. Rather, this is to capture an exceptionally positive or negative interaction that should be conveyed to the Admissions Committee.

The interview is invaluable in assessing an applicant's general management knowledge, level of maturity, interpersonal skills, career direction, leadership skills, and English proficiency—all qualities we consider for acceptance to our programs. Applicants who interview on campus have the advantage of experiencing Team Fuqua firsthand as they can interact with our students and see our excellent facilities. Applicants who live on the West Coast or outside the U.S. get the best feel for the program and the Fuqua experience by interviewing with an alumnus or alumna, and learning about his or her experience.

Congratulate admitted students and answer any questions they may have about the Fuqua experience. Occasionally, a prospective applicant will ask to be put in touch with a local alumnus. Should this be the case, we would first contact you and confirm your availability, before asking you to contact the prospective student.